An anti-hijacking mock exercise to foil a bid to hijack an aircraft was conducted in the Jharsuguda airport here on Thursday.
As per the progamme, a XRAY Airlines’ aircraft A-320 (symbolic plane) carrying 55 passengers took off the Kolkata airport at 9.45 am for the Hyderabad Airport. On board, crew of the aircraft noticed that two passengers had pistol and grenades in their hands and informed the Pilot in Command (PIC) immediately. ATC Kolkata asked the PIC to land at Kolkata but hijackers demanded aircraft be taken to Lahore.
However, due to fuel shortage, hijackers agreed for a landing at the Jharsuguda airport. ATC Jharsuguda informed all the members of the Aerodrome Committee and declared full emergency.
The Anti Hijacking Control Room (AHCR) at ATC building was activated by the Airport Director and all the members reached the spot. After landing at 10.30 am, the aircraft was taken to Isolation Bay and runway blocked from both ends by the Airport Crash Fire Tender so aircraft could not take off. The aircraft was also cordoned off by the QRT personnel of Airport Security Unit (APSU).
The security of the airport from city side also beefed up. The exercise terminated at 11.15 am.
Airport Director Sudesh Kumar Chauhan said such a mock exercise is conducted at least once a year as per the Bureau of Civil Aviation (BCAS).